Petersburg Pilot -

There were eight active cases in Petersburg reported Monday according to the Petersburg Medical Center’s COVID-19 Dashboard. All active cases are related to travel and community spread is not currently being identified.

Every Borough and Census Area in Alaska is on a high alert level as case numbers have reached their highest levels since December 2020 according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

Travel increases the risk of COVID-19 infection and PMC continues to encourage everyone arriving to Petersburg to get tested once they arrive and seven days later regardless of vaccination status.

People associated with recent travelers are also being encouraged to take an asymptomatic test 5-7 days after potential exposure regardless of vaccination status.

Travel testing is available free of charge at the PMC emergency room entrance on 2nd Street from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Free community testing will be available at the respiratory clinic at PMC on the first floor next to public health from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on September 2 and September 9.

Early testing is crucial because people with COVID-19 can be contagious while they are asymptomatic but are most contagious during the first few days of symptoms.

Symptoms should be monitored for 14 days after travel or exposure to COVID-19.

All three vaccines are available at PMC, Public Health (907-772-4611) has the Pfizer vaccines, and Rexall Pharmacy (907-772-3265) has a limited number of the J&J vaccine.

Vaccines and tests can be scheduled by calling the COVID Information Line at 907-772-5788.

A third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is available only for people with significantly compromised immune systems.

The FDA and CDC will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of booster shots for all other groups and more information is expected in the coming weeks.

With the increase in hospitalizations across the state and hospital bed resources in critical supply, first responders are asking that the community continues to test and isolate early to prevent the spread of COVID-19.